Mindfulness Monday 1-Minute Mental Workouts to Help you Live in the Moment - #74 Wrist Release You may not pay much attention to your wrists unless they cause you pain or problems. And, more than likely they aren’t the body part you associate with good

Submitted by whmhrb on Mon, 05/15/2017 - 7:09am

Wrist Release
You may not pay much attention to your wrists unless they cause you pain or problems. And, more than likely they aren’t the body part you associate with good physical or mental health. But, we are intricate and complex beings, and every part of us can affect every other part. We thrive when everything jives. If something is off, the physical discomfort causes mental distraction.
Today, take a moment to appreciate your hands and all the ways you use them throughout the course of a day. Then, dedicate a minute to stretch, strengthen and make them more mobile and supple. Who knows?… Maybe a wrist release will ripple into a shoulder softening which will relax your neck and face, and prompt a smile.
On all-fours/hands and knees:

Flip one hand over so that your palm faces up and your fingers point toward your body. Slowly stretch your hips back until you feel a stretch across the top of the flipped wrist. Take three big breaths, then switch hands.

Sit on your heels:

Clasp your hands together with all 10 fingers interlaced. Circle your wrists for three long breaths, then circle them the opposite direction for three more breaths.

Stand on your shins:

Pretend you are flicking water off of your fingers, forcefully and repeatedly. Keep breathing while you work here for five breaths.

Stand on your feet:

Shake your hands in front of your body quickly while you breathe slowly for five breaths.

Stand tall on your feet:

Press your palms together in front of your heart-center. Point your fingers away from you and notice if the base of your hands, by your wrists, connect in a flat line. Start the work of making an arch at the base of each palm by pressing your finger tips together strongly. Then, feel the knuckle at the base of each finger press into its counterpart on the opposite hand. The more action you put into the fingers, the less stress you put on the wrists. Notice now if there is a sliver of space between the base of your palms. Maintain that space as you bring your thumbs to rest against your sternum and take three calm breaths.